It has been a whirlwind for the past 2 days. On and off the phone, sending pictures, getting information, trying to get everything together for today. I left the house confident and feeling good about what I was going to say. How Loose Thread Stitchers is not only a dream of mine becoming a reality but a tool to fill the void within the stitching industry.
I went down to the studio and was ready....or so I thought. I seriously was not prepared for what happened next. You sit in a booth and view yourself on a screen in front of you. You do not see who you are talking to and all you have to guide you is an ear piece for which I am so deaf it was hard to hear. And yet the show must go on.
Before I begin I want to make it VERY clear, what happened next was ALL me. My fabulous producer Annie, went above and beyond to do everything possible to make this not only a catalyst for my company but also a once-in-a-lifetime shot at promotion. She worked early mornings, late evenings, weekends - Seriously I have 3 small kids and run a company form home and her schedule makes me tired! She is a trooper and I am forever grateful to be given the opportunity to work with her but more importantly to get to know her. The Big Idea is a better place b/c she works there and I am better for having met her. OK now that I have that off my chest....
I stunk, to put it mildly and even as I sit here I know I should be thankful just to be on TV and that I was able to say my company name and website address on TV (seriously who gets that kind of opportunity) but I realized after it was all over, that they had no idea what I was talking about.
The panel was giving me suggestions b/c they thought my site was to promote needlepoint. They had no idea that needleWORK is different types of stitching. I was talking about cross stitch, knitting, crochet, needlepoint, quilting and sewing. They had no idea what my website did or why I would even bring it to market, they questioned my research and did not think there would be a large enough audience for my product.
Were they right? No. But I was also wrong. I did a dis-service to my company by not correcting their perceptions of my business. I did not articulate my vision and I missed a golden opportunity to promote my brand and my product. As I am sitting here I am ready to cry, and have pretty much been in this state of mind all day. What happened to me? Why did I freeze, why didn't I speak up? What was I afraid of? I have been "talking" in my head all day, over and over I repeat what I should have said, what I should have done. It goes something like this.
Donny, I am sorry to interrupt, but I am not sure the panel fully grasps my product. Loose Thread Stitchers is an online society that allows a dynamic exchange between industry professionals and stitchers worldwide along the 6 types of needlework (cross stitch, knitting, needlepoint, quilting, sewing and crochet). We do not sell a physical product, we sell the connection to the information. LTS allows the industry professional to showcase their work to their core audience - a stitcher. The stitcher can customize how they locate the information they need. It is a fun, fast and easy way to build the needlework community one LOOSE THREAD at a time.
Sounds great doesn't it? Then why couldn't I get it out of my mouth? I feel battered and bruised by my lack of camera skills and disappointed in my lack of UMPH to get my information into their hands.
I am going to embrace the sadness tonight, for tomorrow I must get back up on the horse and try again. As I sit here typing with tears rolling down my cheeks, I will not allow this to stop me. I have to know that everyone makes mistakes and you have to grow from the experience, I only wish that mine did not have to be on TV.
I don't want to end here on a sad note so I end with this. It is a wonderful feeling to know that at the least, I have exposed the idea of needlework to individuals who might not normally know of, or think of this craft. I hope they visit our site or at the least Google information based on our program and see that it is a wonderful craft and something to feed your soul. I know am going to put a few stitches in before bed. The piece I am finishing now will forever be my $30,000 in 30 days journey piece. I know someday I will look back and marvel at all that has happened and be thankful to have this piece to remember my journey.
Things just got interesting ~
In Stitches,
Colleen
PS - I will not watch this when it airs. I think once I put it to bed tonight that is where it should stay. I cannot think to get upset about this all over again. Off to stitch (cross stitch). Night
Comments